Short-term isolationist visa policies are just plain bad for the Australian economy

I've yet to read any article that believes the federal government's knee-jerk broad-brushed changes to the 457 visa scheme are a good thing. And I've also yet to meet anyone with a contrary view to the media coverage.

Sure, there may have been some tweaking at the edges needed (particularly in a few limited industries) to close some loop holes and prevent potential rorts. But in most cases not only does the new system create additional cost to business and increase red-tape, more worryingly it reduces not just the size of our talent pool but its diversity.

Our businesses operate in an increasingly global market - but the government is tying our hands behind our collective backs in terms of our ability to bring skills, experience and talent from the global markets.

Just plain bad for the economy - end of.

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From next March there will be a maximum age limit of 45 for all types of applicants for the 186 employer-nominated migration scheme, down from 50 years old. The change was introduced as part of a suite of measures when the government scrapped 457 visa changes in favour of a new "Temporary Skill Shortage Visa". "Many of the best global experts are over 45 and the new rules will also inhibit our ability to bring these professionals to our clients. This is also a dampener on the exchange of knowledge and ideas that Australians benefit from," said Andrew Clark, the local managing partner of The Boston Consulting Group.